The Agriculture Program provides facilitative leadership to both the public and private sectors to support the sustainable development of agriculture, forestry, aquaculture, and other natural resources. Activities include financial support and coordination of agricultural research, education, and marketing programs; data collection, compilation and dissemination to County policymakers and other interested parties; management of collaborative research and development projects; advocacy for local farmers and commodity groups at State and Federal levels.

The County of Hawai‘i has 1,300 acres available for lease at the Kapulena agricultural park located in Kapulena Meadows, mauka of the Upper Cane Haul Road. The property is currently fallow former sugarcane land overgrown with Guinea grass, ironwood trees, and other invasive weeds.

The elevation of the park ranges between 1,000 to 2,000 feet and the temperature ranges between 71-76 degrees Fahrenheit. Average rainfall is 70 inches and there is no other existing source of water. Slope ranges from 10-35%. Possible uses: Cattle ranching, orchard and truck crops, flowers and forestry.

Agricultural Pest Information

Rat Lungworm Disease:Rat lungworm is a disease that affects the brain and spinal cord. It’s caused by a parasitic nematode that only found in rodents. Rodents pass the larvae on in their feces, and other animals (including slugs or snails) can become infected. For more information, see the following website.

Coffee Berry Borer (CBB) Pesticide Subsidy Program: The Hawai‘i Department of Agriculture (HDOA) established the CBB Pesticide Subsidy Program to assist Hawai‘i coffee farmers with the cost of pesticides containing the fungus known to control CBB. Applications are accepted until 6/30/2018 for purchases made from 7/1/2016 through 6/30/2017. Reimbursement is available for up to 50% of out-of-pock costs for Beauveria bassiana products and depending on number of applicants and available funds, up to a maximum of $600 per acre and $9,000 per farm. Any applications received or postmarked after 6/30/2018 will not be eligible for reimbursement. To apply and for more information, please see the following website.

Little Fire Ant Ant Management Clinics:Each month Hawai‘i Ant Lab conducts a full-day clinic for residents and other interested persons. This workshop covers ant management basics from theory to practice and includes sessions on pesticides safety, mixing and using gel baits. Space is limited to twenty (20) participants each workshop. For more information and to register, go to Hawai‘i Ant Lab

Coqui Frog Control:(Download Program Flyer) The County of Hawai‘i and the Hawai‘i County Economic Opportunity Council are offering discounted Citric Acid to help control coqui frogs in our community. Get a voucher for a 50 lb. bag of Citric Acid for $58.00 by mail or in person at:HCEOC, 47 Rainbow Drive, Hilo, Hawaii 96720 (808) 961-2681. Redeem vouchers at:

Ag Site Assessment Tool: The Ag Site Assessment Tool (AgSite) is designed by University of Missouri Extension as an educational tool that generates a report on the physical, cultural and environmental characteristics of a selected parcel of land and its surroundings. This is a free and easy to use mapping program that generates a report with the following data layers: Soils, streams, wetlands and ponds, watersheds, floodplains, Karst geology, nearby communities, legal description, threatened and endangered species, and aerial photography.